You can use this page to review, contribute to and update your notes. Feel free to edit this page and add content. Include your name so I can track your participation.
Topic 8.1
Define the following terms:
thermodynamic engine-mechanical device that provides useful work from the difference in temperature of two bodies.
thermodynamic cycle-series of thermodynamic process transfering heat and work
The second Law of Thermodynamics will be revisited in Topic 10. It is often stated in many ways.
“in a system, a process that occurs, will tend to increase the total entropy of the Universe”
Visit the resource page links and write brief statements for the following variations on the 2nd Law:
Clausius statement
-Heat generally cannot flow spontaneously from a material at lower temperature to a material at higher temmperature. Kelvin statement-It is impossible to convert heat completely into work in a cyclic process
The two features that are required in a thermodynamic engine are that 1. the engine must work in cycles 2. there must be at least two heat reservoirs
In the context of the two features listed above, and in conjunction to the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics, explain why no thermodynamic engine can operate at 100% efficiency (converting 100% of thermal energy into mechanical work).
Define and explain the term degraded energy-transformed energy which will make energy less available for doing work. Here is a Sankey diagram for an Ipod. Determine the proportions of input energy that are transferred to heat, light and sound.
It is important you are aware how the electricity used in our homes and businesses is generated.
Summarize the basic steps on how commercial electricity is generated.
Topic 8.2
Complete the following table:
Type of Energy Source
Is it Renewable?
CO2 Emissions?
Add any other information you feel is relevant, important or just interesting
Distinguish between renewable and nonrenewable energy sources.
Define energy density of a fuel. Use values from the table below to discuss how the choice of fuel is influenced by its energy density.
The great debate: List some advantages and disadvantages of the significant energy sources (that should have been mentioned above). Include all principle energy sources and the common alternative energy proposals.
Topic 8.3
This sub-topic is by far the largest and the most time consuming. Much of it is just content but there is some physics applied. I suggest you read the online text and answer the questions that follow. In addition, I have selected some examples of where the physics often shows up on assessments. Work through the section in the book and see how the physics is applied. This is the one part of Topic 8 that we will spend a little time on in August so bring your questions.
I will be adding some examples in the following areas (if I can find questions)
1. Know your units! Quite often, many problems can be worked correctly just by looking at how the units cancel out (dimensional analysis). It is therefore critical that you understand the units for all the quantities and variables in the equations in the Data Booklet. (for example, be very clear what a watt (W) is!!!!)
You can use this page to review, contribute to and update your notes. Feel free to edit this page and add content. Include your name so I can track your participation.
Topic 8.1
Define the following terms:
thermodynamic engine-mechanical device that provides useful work from the difference in temperature of two bodies.
thermodynamic cycle-series of thermodynamic process transfering heat and work
The second Law of Thermodynamics will be revisited in Topic 10. It is often stated in many ways.
“in a system, a process that occurs, will tend to increase the total entropy of the Universe”
Visit the resource page links and write brief statements for the following variations on the 2nd Law:
Clausius statement
-Heat generally cannot flow spontaneously from a material at lower temperature to a material at higher temmperature.
Kelvin statement-It is impossible to convert heat completely into work in a cyclic process
The two features that are required in a thermodynamic engine are that
1. the engine must work in cycles
2. there must be at least two heat reservoirs
In the context of the two features listed above, and in conjunction to the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics, explain why no thermodynamic engine can operate at 100% efficiency (converting 100% of thermal energy into mechanical work).
Define and explain the term degraded energy-transformed energy which will make energy less available for doing work.
Here is a Sankey diagram for an Ipod.
Determine the proportions of input energy that are transferred to heat, light and sound.
It is important you are aware how the electricity used in our homes and businesses is generated.
Summarize the basic steps on how commercial electricity is generated.
Topic 8.2
Complete the following table:
Distinguish between renewable and nonrenewable energy sources.
Define energy density of a fuel. Use values from the table below to discuss how the choice of fuel is influenced by its energy density.
The great debate:
List some advantages and disadvantages of the significant energy sources (that should have been mentioned above). Include all principle energy sources and the common alternative energy proposals.
Topic 8.3
This sub-topic is by far the largest and the most time consuming. Much of it is just content but there is some physics applied. I suggest you read the online text and answer the questions that follow. In addition, I have selected some examples of where the physics often shows up on assessments. Work through the section in the book and see how the physics is applied. This is the one part of Topic 8 that we will spend a little time on in August so bring your questions.
I will be adding some examples in the following areas (if I can find questions)
1. Know your units! Quite often, many problems can be worked correctly just by looking at how the units cancel out (dimensional analysis). It is therefore critical that you understand the units for all the quantities and variables in the equations in the Data Booklet. (for example, be very clear what a watt (W) is!!!!)
2. Fuel consumption problems
3. Solar power problems
4. Wave power problems
5. Wind power problems